Amy Cox

Like the story of so many others in the marine industry, Amy Cox started her life by the sea and joined the Sea Cadets but had no idea that boating would relate strongly to her future career. More significant influences at the time were the capable and intelligent women she grew up with when educated at a girls’ grammar school in Bournemouth – those positive experiences remain inspirational today.

Changes in family circumstances drove the need for early financial independence and Amy plunged into the world of work. A series of roles followed – from DIY retailing, recruitment data entry and property maintenance, management, and construction, to aerospace. She achieved NVQs in customer service and learned how to look after people on the frontline which suited her inherent talent: “I’m not a good behind the scenes person,” Amy reflects. “I’m fairly theatrical and like to have fun which means people often warm to me. It’s my priority to help people day to day, whatever the task. My job satisfaction comes from putting out fires and resolving problems – I’m a natural problem solver.”

Those skills came to the fore as an account manager in a fast-paced aviation parts supply company. “We supplied everything you see on the inside of a plane from whole cabins to the smallest components. Any minor holdup on just one part meant you would end up with what is known an AOG – Aircraft On Ground. An airliner that cannot fly loses money every hour. There are major regulations and quality control processes to manage. Regardless of remit I needed to get stuck in, take control and ensure things were done. It was intense, enjoyable – and the wrong industry to be in when COVID hit.”

Redundancy followed a long period of furlough when aviation remained mothballed. “I wallowed about for two days feeling down, then dusted myself off and approached every agency I’d ever heard of because I refused to be without a job. A lovely recruiter called Di Woodward contacted me and said, ‘I’ve got a position in a nice company that involves some travel and lots of chat.’ That sounded like the job for me. I had an entirely online interview. When asked if I had marine experience, I shared that my life ambition aged five was to be a mermaid. However I must have made a good impression because I started on the day after my redundancy termination.

“Looking back I initially experienced trepidation at the idea that I was going to be dealing with chairs, committees and business owners from an industry that was unknown to me. My induction and early meetings were necessarily online. Then, less than half-a-year after starting I got a cancer diagnosis that kept me out of action for 11 months.